Stair-walking aid



Feb. 26, @Lug 2,782,796

STAIR-WALKING AID Filed OCT., 29, 1954 i /AA/fA/TOR:

MEG/mfr Scarf B1. uq

UnitedStates Patent O 2,782,796 STAIR-WALKING AlD Margaret Scott Blue, St. Louis, Mo. Application October 29, 1954, Serial No. 465,480

2 Claims. Cl. 13S-47) The present invention relates to walking aids, and more particularlyto a novel portable device by means of which an infirm person maybe self-assisted to Walk up or down a ight of stairs.

What ever factors may have been considered originally in establishing the present more or less standardized height of risers in staircases, it appears that the abilities and capacities of vigorous, able-bodied persons alone must have been the ultimate criterion. At any rate, it remains an unfortunate fact that a not inconsiderable segment of the population experiences substantial difficulty in ascending and descending conventional staircases. Included in this group, of course, are the lame, the convalescent, and those who must abide the infirmities of advanced age.

It can be readily appreciated that, in many instances, persons of the aforementioned group, although quite able to enjoy the benefits and freedom of general self-ambulation, are nevertheless visited with unmerited frustration when confronted with the need or the wish to ascend or descend a fiight of steps.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novel device by means of which an infirm person may be self-assisted in ascending and descending conventional staircases.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel device of the type described which is portable.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel device of the type described which incorporates a stepping block having a height less than that of a conventional stair riser.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel device of the type described which incorporates a stafflike hand support.

Other objects and advantages of the said invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of a stair-walking aid which conforms to the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the device as viewed from the right-hand side of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an isometric representation showing the device in a normal position of rest as used in connection with a conventional staircase.

Referring more particularly to the details of the drawing and making use of the reference numerals applied thereto, there is shown in each of the figures a stairwalking aid designated generally by the numeral 10. The stair-walking aid 10, as is clear from the several figures of the drawing, comprises a block 12, an upright staff 14, and a handle 16.

Preferably, the walking aid is constructed of material which is relatively light, but which, at the same time, has sufficient structural strength to enable it to perform its intended function, as will appear. Although the letented' Eeb- 2.6,. 1.952

Z illustrated embodiment of the invention is assumed to be constructed of wood, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that metal, plastic, or the like, could be equally well employed.

Essentially, the block 12 includes a platform surface 18 at a predetermined elevation above a base level repre-` sented by a bottom surface 20 of the block 12. Whether this platform surface is presented by a solid block such as the illustrated block 1 2, or whether it takes the form of a hollow box or stand is immaterial to the invention.

In size, the platform surface 18 has a'fore and length which approximates the depth of a conventional stair tread, and a transverse width which is at least equal to the width of an raverage adult shoe. The preferred elevation of the surface 1'8 above the base level 2Q is substantially half the difference in elevation between-conf secutive stair treads in a standard staircase. These dimensional comparisons are clearly illustrated in Figure 4, wherein the device 10 is depicted as resting upon a tread 22 of a staircase 24.

The upright staff element 14 is disposed adjacent one edge of the platform surface 18, and has its lower end secured by any suitable means to the block 12. Preferably, the securernent of the member 14 to the block 12 is rigid.

The handle 16 may be of any convenient shape for grasping, and is rigidly aixed by appropriate well known means to the upper end of the staff member 14.

As previously indicated, the stair-walking aid 10 finds use as a self-assisting aid to the infirm in negotiating stair steps. In such use, and assuming that such an individual desires to ascend a Hight of stairs, the walking aid 10 is grasped by its handle 16 and carried to the lower end of the steps to be ascended. The user then places the block 12 at rest upon the floor adjacent the first step and, while steadying himself through the handle 16 and the staff 14, places his closer foot upon the platform surface 18. Obviously, with the device 10 in the position shown in Figure 4, the user would be grasping the handle 16 with his right hand and would step with his right foot upon the platfrom surface 18.

The user of the device 10 then steps with his left foot upon the first step of the staircase. At this point, the device 10 is lifted by means of its handle 16 and placed also upon the first step of the staircase. Normally, the user will find it most convenient and easiest to keep his right foot in place on the platform surface 18 as the device 10 is moved from one level to another. With the device 10 resting upon the first step of the staircase, the user may now move his left foot to the second step, and continuing in this manner the whole staircase may be negotiated by easy and relatively safe stages.

It will be evident that one using the device 10 may choose to grasp the handle 16 with his left hand and to step with his left foot upon the platform surface 18, in which case, the device 10 need merely be turned about so as to dispose the staff 14 on the left-hand side of the block 12.

The stair-walking aid herein disclosed reduces by half the distance which an infirm person need lift his feet in negotiating a ight of stairs. Moreover, a firm support is provided for added assurance of steadiness in traversing staircases. The convenience of use, along with the portability of the device 10, adds greatly to its utility.

Clearly, there has been provided a walking aid which fulfills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given only by way of illustration and example. It is further to be understood that changes in the form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, or the substitution of equivalent elements, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are considered within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is: 1 Y

Il. A portable stairfwalking aidrdesigned to provide a partial step to be used when ascending and descending stairs: comprising a platform and a stai rigidly connected together, the platform having a planar, lower surface adapted to rest upon Vthe tread of a step and being at least approximately as long as a stair tread isrwide, and as wide as the bottom of a human foot, so that the platform may be securely and non-rockably bottomed upon the stair tread, the platform having a height of about one-half a stair riser and having a at upper surface to receive the foot of the user, it being at least approximately as long and as wide as a human foot, so as to receive a persons foot and hold it steadily as the person steps o nto the platform, a rigid staff secured rigidly to one side of and rising from the platform to the height of the hand, and having a handle at the top of the staff to be grasped by the hand of the user when the user stands upon the upper platform surface,"whereby the user may hold 'the walking aid when stepping upon it and carry it from step to step, the entire walking aid being unitary and the parts being immovable relatively to each other, and the aid being made of strong, rigid and lightweight material so that it may be carried.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the platform has a at, vertical back edge surface between its lower and upper surfaces, and which is adapted to be pressed against the stair riser to prevent twisting of the platform during its use.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,005,507 Russell et al. June 18, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 61,103 Germany Mar. 19, 1892 675,275 Great Britain vJuly 9, 1952 

